As we moved into December and then into January we start to see a release of potential Oscar contenders, which I got to see a few of. I also got to be surprised by a movie I had no expectations for be a fun time at the cinema and a movie I had been waiting two years to see blow my mind and change my expectations.

Here are all the movies I saw in December 2017 starting from my favourite.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Image via Lucasfilm

As a massive Star Wars fan I had been waiting for this movie since the literal cliffhanger of The Force Awakens. I can understand why some people were disappointed with this movie; it was unlike anything we had seen in Star Wars before. It was not what I expected it to be in anyway shape or form. I was not disappointed though and every time I see this movie it gets better for me, I have found more to love and appreciate each time I see it. The Last Jedi has several moments that I think will be regarded as some of the most memorable Star Wars moments in the future, such as the incredible Throne Room Battle, or the opening of the film. I have seen it three times in the cinema and can’t wait to go again.

I have never been a massive fan of The Room. I have seen it once and laughed at how bad it is, but I don’t feel the need to watch it repeatedly for enjoyment. That being said I loved The Disaster Artist. It succeeded in so many ways, it had great performances, it was hilarious and it was interesting. It could have easily turned into a parody or even a fan appreciation film but it felt so much more. You can definitely see The Disaster Artist without seeing The Room, but it helps to really appreciate all of the in jokes that James Franco put throughout his movie.

The trailer for this movie fascinated me. The movie fascinated me even more. It takes an interesting look at a really harsh reality for so many people. What makes it so interesting is how the movie is shot through the eyes of Moonee a 6-year-old girl and her friends. They don’t have a problem with their social status as they continue to find fun and adventure around the motels they live in. So much of this film feels genuine from the way the children act; to the way the parents behave it all feels real. Rather than be a story about Moonee, The Florida Project feels like a day in the life (though it is actually a summer) of Moonee and her friends. It may feel slow but everything in this movie has a purpose.

This movie is a work of art. Like all works of art though it will speak to people differently. I was able to see the beauty and the talent in this work of art but I didn’t fall in love with it in the same way many have. It is definitely a movie lovers of cinema should see, as director Luca Guadagnino does such an incredible job telling Elio’s (Timothée Chalamet) coming of age story, as he falls in love with Oliver (Armie Hammer). If anything this movie will make you want to explore Northern Italy, given all the beautiful shots from around the area.

When this was announced I had no desire to see it, then I saw the first trailer, and I still had no desire to see it. The first Jumanji is a movie I hold very dear to my childhood, a movie I watched over and over again. I did not want this money grab of a sequel. Until I actually saw it and I could not believe that the movie not only works, it is a fun adventure comedy. They make all the appropriate changes whilst still paying respect to what has come before. The best moments come from the out of body acting that our heroes give, that feels so out of character from anything we have seen Dwayne Johnson or Karen Gillan do before. This is definitely Jack Black’s best performance since School of Rock. For a fun time at the cinema check out Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.